‘Horror’ at finding home in new name

An alleged victim of former solicitor Thomas Byrne has described her “horror” at discovering he had transferred her family home into his name.

It was the third day of Mr Byrne’s trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for theft and fraud offences totalling €51.8m. Mr Byrne, aged 47, of Walkinstown Rd, Crumlin, has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of theft, forgery, using forged documents, and deception.

The trial heard from husband and wife Paul and Aideen Costigan. In 2006, Mr Byrne carried out work for the couple relating to the sale of a house left by Ms Costigan’s deceased mother.